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5 Security Measures for Docker Container Environments

5 Ways to Secure Docker Containers - TechAffinity

Being lightweight, fast, and isolated, containers have fine-tuned the IT space with redefined application packaging and execution process for the better. According to Statista, in 2019, 33.4% of small and large enterprises have implemented containers in new cloud-native applications in their companies. Also, majority of businesses are migrating into containers with Docker. Hence, it is important to secure docker containers.

Docker, as a packaging application, brought in resource optimization & portability and is great for microservices deployment. On the other hand, KubernetesKubernetesKubernetes is an open-source container-orchestration system for automating application deployment, scaling, and management. It was originally designed by Google, and is now maintained by the Cloud Native Computing Foundation. helped running the containerized application and managing various aspects of the ecosystem simultaneously. As there is an increase in adoption of container technology, you must consider the associated risk, vulnerabilities and security threats to Kubernetes, Docker and other aspects of the ecosystem.  

These are the components that are prone to security threats and it’s your job to secure them in their own way. So, let’s begin with Kernel-level security.

1. Kernel-Level Security: To establish an isolated workspace, containers take advantage of kernel namespaces. The need to establish isolated workspace is to block one container from accessing resources of another. But, unrestricted access to a container can have a negative impact on the cluster or host. To restrict privileges, you can make use of user namespaces to distribute users between the container and host operating system. Containers require CPU and memory resources and they get that from kernel control groups. You can also make use of Docker’s APIs to allocate certain amount of CPU and memory to streamline the distribution. As a result, you prevent the containers from monopolizing the resources.

2. Host-Level Security: You must also be aware that Docker commands need root access. Therefore, you have access to the host and the file system, which makes it vulnerable. Hence, you must enable “Security-enabled Linux” to avoid the risks of unrestricted file system access. As a result, Docker will provide access only to the required directories and files and restrict access to others.

3. Security of Docker Images: Docker images are prone to security threats and are highly vulnerable due to their contents. To limit the security threats, your Docker image creation process should have only the minimum application components. Also, Docker images must be configured in such a way so that it can run for a user with the least required privileges. Hence, Docker images should contain only standard and vulnerability-free parent images. To offer authenticity, you must ensure the images are signed by a service like Docker Content Trust (DCT), and managed by a secure service like Docker Notary. All Docker images should be stored and shared through a secure registry working in line with the Notary. They should be scanned for vulnerabilities and license compliance without default.

4. Security in Running Containers: You can make your containers less vulnerable if you restrict the number and types of system calls available to it. All you have to do is to use kernel-level features such as secure computing mode. You can also restrict privileges of a root user using Linux Capabilities feature and increase the security of the container.

5. Security of Container Engine and Container Orchestration Systems: The significant attack surfaces are a container engine and the container orchestration system built up of diverse components. With the help of certificate-based authentication, transport layer security, and certain component-specific security measures, you can secure the components, their integration, and their communication channel.

Hence, with the rise in container technology and the mass adoption of Docker and Kubernetes, containerized deployments attract security threats and exploitations.  It implies nothing but the importance of container security. You must start to evaluate all the security options available and identify the right solution for your enterprise ecosystem to be functional.

We, at TechAffinity, have expert developers who are competent enough to handle Docker & Kubernetes for containerization and container orchestration. Line up your queries to media@techaffinity.com or schedule a call with our expert DevOps team.

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